>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THE LOOK FROM BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> TOUGHER VACCINE RULES FOR SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO AND ACROSS THE STATE.

WE WILL HAVE A ROUNDUP OF THE NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

START WHAT CAN SAN DIEGO DO TO MAKE ITS STREETS SAFER FOR THOSE WHO DON'T USE A CAR TO GET AROUND?

THE NEW FOCUS AFTER A TRAGIC DEATH.

>>> CONFRONTING THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

LOCAL KIDS RAISE THEIR VOICE WORRIED THE PROBLEM IS BEING LEFT FOR THEM TO SOLVE.

>>> RENT IS DUE THIS WEEKEND FOR MILLIONS OF CALIFORNIANS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED BY AN EVICTION AND OUR RACE AND EQUITY REPORTER EXPLAINS WHAT THAT MEANS FOR MORE THAN HALF 1 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS BEHIND ON RENT.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA'S EVICTION MORATORIUM LARGELY PROHIBITED LANDLORDS FROM EVICTING TENANTS FOR NOT PAYING RENT.

NOW IT HAS COME TO AN END LANDLORDS WILL BE ABLE TO START EVICTION PROCEEDINGS AT THE TENANT HAS NOT PAID THE RENT BUT SOME PROTECTIONS AND PROGRAMS REMAIN IN PLACE FOR VULNERABLE SANDY AKINS SO SAYS THE SENIOR HOUSING ATTORNEY WITH THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> THE PERFECT INSTRUMENT TO PREVENT NONPAYMENT OF RENT EVICTIONS BUT THEY REQUIRE THE TENANT HAVE AN APPLICATION AT THE LEAST PENDING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT AN EVICTION FROM PROCEEDING IN COURT.

>> Reporter: LINDLAR 22 PROOF THEY APPLY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND ATTENDED DID NOT FINISH THE APPLICATION OR DOES NOT QUALIFY.

THESE REMAINING PROTECTION EXTENDED TO MARCH 2022 BUT RENTERS CANNOT GET THEM IF NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE.

>> TENANTS WHO LIVE IN JURISDICTIONS WITH NO RENTAL ASSISTANCE WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTIONS DURING THE COVID RECOVERY PERIOD.

>> Reporter: AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT TENANTS AND LANDLORDS CAN APPLY FOR.

ONE FOR SAN DIEGO CITY RESINS, ONE FOR CHULA VISTA RESIDENTS AND A KENT WOOD PROGRAM THAT SERVES CITIES FROM EL CAJON TO ENCINITAS.

AS OF MID-SEPTEMBER, SAN DIEGO CITY HAS $13 MILLION REMAINING FROM THE ORIGINAL $170 MILLION CHULA VISTA HAS $10 MILLION OUT OF NEARLY $32 MILLION OVER TWO ROUNDS OF FUNDING AND THE COUNTY HAS AN ESTIMATED $100 MILLION LEFT FROM ITS $210 MILLION FUND.

INDIA SHALL ATTEND AN EVENT AND LOGAN HEIGHTS TO CHECK IN ON THE STATUS OF HER APPLICATION.

SHE RECEIVED FULL RENT FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

>> IT HAS REALLY LIGHTENED MY LOAD FOR THESE NEXT THREE MONTHS BECAUSE THEN I CAN FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS THAT I NEED TO TAKE CARE OF AND IF IT WASN'T FOR GOD OPENING UP THIS PROGRAM , A LOT OF US, WE WOULD PROBABLY BE OUT THERE ON THE STREETS.

>> Reporter: ALSO STARTING TOMORROW SDG&E CONCERN OF POWERS AND HOUSEHOLDS BEHIND ON UTILITY BILLS ANYONE BEHIND 60 DAYS OR MORE IS AUTOMATICALLY SIGNED UP FOR A DEBT RELIEF PROGRAM AND THE STATE DOES HAVE PROGRAMS TO OFFER LOWER RATES FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

>>> AS WE MENTIONED COME THE EMERGENCY RENTAL AND UTILITY RELIEF FUNDS ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY AT THE WEBSITES ON YOUR SCREEN.

THERE ARE SEPARATE PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTS IN THE CITIES OF SAN DIEGO AND CHULA VISTA AS WELL AS SAN DIEGO COUNTY RESIDENTS.

>>> GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAYS A STATE-WIDE VACCINE MANDATE IS ON THE WAY AS SOON AS THE FDA GIVES A FULL AUTHORIZATION.

>> STARTING WITH 12 AND ABOVE THE GRADES 7 THROUGH 12, WE WILL BEGIN TO APPLY THAT REQUIREMENT IN THE NEXT TERM.

EITHER JANUARY 1st, OR JULY 1st, WHICH EVER COMES SOONER.

CONCURRENT WITH AUNT, WE ALSO WANT TO SEE ALL OF OUR STAFF, PARAPROFESSIONALS AND NOT JUST TEACHERS, CUSTODIAL STEP AND THE LIKE, THE FOLKS THAT REALLY MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OPERATIONAL, ALSO SEE THEM GET VACCINATED AS WELL.

>> RIGHT NOW YOUTH VACCINES HAVE EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION.

IN SAN DIEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS ARE ONE STEP AHEAD.

THE KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER TELLS US ABOUT THE BIG DECISION THIS WEEK BY OUR LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR.

>> THE VACCINE IS SAFE.

THE VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE AND TO COMBAT THIS PANDEMIC, WE MUST GET EVERYONE VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: AND THIS TOO.

>> WE GOT TO CALL THE VIRUS AND SO THIS IS OUR WAY OF SAYING THAT WE WANT IT OVER WITH SO WE CAN GET BACK TO REALITY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED BOARD MEMBERS AND MEDICAL EXPERTS HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING HOURS AFTER UNANIMOUSLY APPROVING A COVID- 19 VACCINATION MANDATE AT THE MARATHON MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT.

THE MEETING WAS VIRTUAL AND CONTENTIOUS.

DOZENS OF PEOPLE SPOKE DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION FOR AND VERY MUCH AGAINST REQUIRING ALL ELIGIBLE STAFF AND STUDENTS 16 YEARS AND OLDER TO BE VACCINATED.

OTHERWISE THEY WOULD BE TERMINATED OR FORCED OFF CAMPUS .

>> AND e-BIKE CORONAVIRUS COME IT COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE FOR ME.

>> Reporter: THIS 18-YEAR-OLD IS THE DESIGNATED STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.

HE VOTED FOR THE MANDATE AFTER PUBLICLY REVEALING FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT HE IS IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

>> WHAT I SAY IS REMEMBER ME REMEMBER US.

REMEMBER THE FACT THAT WE CAN CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: AS THE DISTRICT MOVES AHEAD WITH ITS MANDATE PLANS, OPPOSITION IS NOT GOING AWAY.

THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WITH PLENTY TO SAY AND THEY WILL KEEP SAYING IT.

LAST EVENING BEFORE THE PUBLIC BOARD MEETING BEGAN, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FOSTERED AND PROTESTED OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

FOR MANY OF THEM, IT IS A MATTER OF CHOICE, THEY FEEL, HAS BEEN RIPPED AWAY BY THE BOARD MANDATE.

>> THEY ARE NOT PLANNING TO HONOR PERSONAL BELIEF EXEMPTIONS.

THAT THEY ARE PLANNING TO REMOVE KIDS FROM IN-PERSON LEARNING, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT SAY THEY CAN'T DO THAT.

>> GO AHEAD AND GET YOUR STUDENT VACCINATED IF ELIGIBLE RATHER THAN TO KEEP YOUR KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL.

THAT IS NOT THE DECISION WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

AND THAT IS NOT OUR GOAL.

>> Reporter: LOUD AND CLEAR.

MANDATED COVID VACCINATIONS ARE HERE.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

>>> THE KPBS WEBSITE GOT A NEW LOOK THIS WEEK BUT IT STILL HAS ALL OF THE COVID-19 INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE COME TO EXPECT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

FOR VACCINE LOCATIONS, LOCAL UPDATES AND OUR CONTENT, CLICK ON THE TRACKING COVID-19 LINK UNDER THE NEWS SECTION.

>>> IT MAY NOT BE CLOSURE BUT IT IS AN END TO A GRIM CHAPTER IN OUR LOCAL HISTORY.

THE SHOOTER WHO ATTACKED A SYNAGOGUE IN 2019 WILL SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON.

JOHN CARROLL WAS THERE AS VICTIMS ADDRESSED THE KILLER IN COURT.

>> DO WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO.

>> Reporter: 2.5 YEARS LATER, HANNAH K, WHOSE MOTHER WAS MURDERED BY JOHN EARNEST STRUGGLED TO EVEN BEGIN HER STATEMENT.

BUT ONCE SHE REGAINED HER COMPOSURE, HER MESSAGE TO THE MAN WHO KILLED HER MOTHER WAS PAINFUL, ELOQUENT AND GUT WRENCHING.

>> MY MOTHER'S VOICE IS LOUD, STEADY, AND CLEAR IN MY HEART AND BECAUSE SHE CANNOT TELL THE WORD WHICH HE EXPERIENCED TODAY, I DO SO FOR HER.

THE VOICE OF MY MOTHER IS RECLAIMED WITHIN MY OWN.

YOUR BULLETS WILL NOT BREAK THROUGH MY BODY TODAY AS THEY DID MY MOTHER'S.

SHE IS HERE.

SHE IS ALIVE WITHIN MY WORDS >> Reporter: IT WAS APRIL 27 2019 WHEN 54 PEOPLE WERE INSIDE FOR A SABBATH SERVICE WHEN ERNEST PULLED UP WITH AN ASSAULT RIFLE.

ONCE INSIDE HE OPENED FIRE.

LARRY GEBERT KAY DIED WHERE SHE FELL IN THE ENTRANCE HALL.

THE SYNAGOGUE'S FOUNDING RABBI AND AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND HER UNCLE WERE ALL INJURED.

ONE OF THE WORSHIPERS WAS AN OFF-DUTY BORDER PATROL AGENT WHO FIRED BACK AT ERNEST.

HE AND ANOTHER MAN STOPPED TO RUSSIAN BUT BY THAT TIME HIS GUN HAD JAMMED.

CHASED HIM OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE.

ERNEST SPED OFF BUT MINUTES LATER HE CALLED POLICE AND TOLD HIM WHAT HE'D JUST DONE AND WAITED FOR THEM TO ARREST HIM.

>> THROUGH 30 YEARS OF MARRIAGE HE NEVER GAVE ME A BAD WORD.

>> Reporter: DR. HOWARD KAY SPOKE OF HOW WONDERFUL HIS WIFE WAS AND HOW SHE FOCUSED TIRELESSLY IN HELPING OTHERS.

>> EVEN AFTER HER DEATH WE WOULD GET THANK YOU NOTES THAT KEPT COMING IN BECAUSE SHE USED TO GIVE CHECKS TO PEOPLE TO GIVE TO CHARITIES WHEN SHE TRAVELED.

>> Reporter: LORI'S SISTER NOTED THE PRESENCE OF GOOD NEXT TO EVIL IN THE COURTROOM AS SHE DESCRIBED IN HER WAY WHAT HAPPENED THAT APRIL DAY OF 2019.

>> THIS MONSTER HUNTED DOWN AND MURDERED MY SISTER, LORI, WOUNDING THREE OTHERS INCLUDING A LITTLE GIRL.

A LITTLE GIRL.

AND THEN, WHY?

WHAT DID THEY EVER DID TO HIM?

HE HATED JEWS SO HE DECIDED TO KILL JEWS.

>> Reporter: TODAY BRINGS TO A CLOSE AT 2.5 YEAR LONG LEGAL JOURNEY FOR JOHN EARNEST AND THE BEGINNING OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON FOR THE FAMILIES, A DAY OF JUSTICE RENDERED THAT MAY OR MAY NOT DO ANYTHING TO EASE THEIR UNIMAGINABLE PAIN.

FROM DOWNTOWN, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A SAN DIEGO FAMILY IS COPING WITH ITS OWN TRAGEDY AFTER THE LOVED ONE DIED IN A CRASH NEAR BALBOA PARK.

THE CITY SAYS IT'S WORKING TO ADD MILES A PROTECTED BIKE LANES TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

AS ANDREW GO IN REPORTS, THE CHANGES CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR SOME.

>> Reporter: LAURA KEENAN PICKS UP HER ONE-YEAR-OLD SON, EVAN, SITS IN IN THE LIVING ROOM AND MEETS HIM A BOOK.

>> HE LOVES THIS BOOK.. >> Reporter: HIS BIG BLUE EYES KEEP DARTING FROM THE BOOK TO OUR CAMERA.

HIS BIG SMILE BELIES A HORRIFIC TRAGEDY THIS FAMILY EXPERIENCED TWO WEEKS AGO.

EVAN'S FATHER, MATT, WAS BIKING THROUGH MISSION VALLEY WHEN A DRIVER GOING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION CROSSED THE ROAD'S DOUBLE YELLOW LINES AND STRUCK MATT HEAD-ON.

NEITHER HIS HELMET NOR HIS LIGHTS COULD SAVE HIM.

HE DIED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

>> SO EXCITED TO SEE EVAN GROW UP AND DO ALL THE STUFF WITH EVAN.

LIKE I MENTIONED, HE WAS GOING TO TAKE US, TAKE HIS FIRST STEPS IN ANDINTO TEACHING MUSIC AND PLAY SPORTS WITH HIM AND HE'S NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: LAURA KNOWS HER SON WILL GROW UP NOT KNOWING HIS FATHER BUT SHE IS TRYING TO KEEP MATT'S MEMORY ALIVE HER HUSBAND WAS FUNNY, KIND, CHARISMATIC , A CARETAKER, AND HE LOVED BIKING.

>> HE WOULD RIDE TO WORK.

HE WORKS IN LA JOLLA SO HE CRIES FROM NORTH PARK TO LA JOLLA.

HE WOULD RIDE HIS BIKE TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE OR JUST RUN DIFFERENT AHRENS.

IF A DAY WENT BY WITHOUT BIKING , IT WAS NOT A COMPLETE DAY FOR HIM.

>> Reporter: LAURA'S HUSBAND WAS WRITING IN A NARROW PAINTED BIKE LANE WHEN HE WAS HIT.

SHE WAS CONVINCED AT THE BIKE LANE HAD SOME KIND OF PHYSICAL BARRIER, CURB OR PLASTIC POSTS, MATT WOULD STILL BE ALIVE TODAY.

>> THIS IS AN PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: ELIZABETH MAYER IS THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE NONPROFIT BIKE SD AND SHE SAID MATT'S DEATH SHOWS MANY OF THE CITIES PLANNED AND EXISTING BIKE LANES ARE INADEQUATE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE CITY'S ADOPTION OF VISION ZERO , CAMPAIGN TO END ALL TRAFFIC DEATHS BY 2025.

>> THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS THAT DO NOT HAVE PROTECTED BIKE LANES THAT WE BELIEVE SHOULD AND SO THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS A REFRESHER.

AND I THINK THAT IN ORDER TO MEET THE GOALS THEY SET BOTH FOR CLIMATE AND VISION ZERO, THERE NEEDS TO BE SWIFT CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAID HE'S SPEEDING UP THE PROCESS OF ADDING NEW BIKE LANES AND IMPROVING EXISTING ONES WITH MORE PROTECTION.

LAST WEEK, HE ANNOUNCED PERSHING DRIVE IN BALBOA PARK BUT HAVE NEW PROTECTED BIKE LANES NEXT MONTH THAT CAME AFTER TWO PEOPLE, CYCLIST AND A SCOOTER RIDER WERE KILLED BY DRIVERS ON PERSHING THIS SUMMER.

>> THE MAYOR CAN, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, REDIRECT STAFF TO DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

>> Reporter: JORDAN BOREN IS A PHYSICAL AND ANNALEE PENNELL PANELIST.

HE SAID GLORIA CAN ORDER CITY WORKERS TO CREATE NEW BIKE LANES PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE IF HE DECIDES THEY ARE URGENT.

GLORIOUS CURRENT BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES A NEW TEAM OF 12 STAFFERS TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT NINE MILES A PROTECTED BIKE LANES PER YEAR.

THAT'S LESS DANDY 25 MILES BIKE ACTIVISTS HAVE CALLED FOR.

HE SAYS 25 MILES ARE THEORETICALLY POSSIBLE, BUT THAT WOULD REQUIRE A BIG SHIFT IN PRIORITIES AND MONEY.

>> THE QUESTION WOULD BE TAKE $2.2 MILLION.

WHERE WOULD YOU FIND IT AND WHAT WOULD THOSE TRADE-OFFS HAVE TO BE?

BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A QUESTION OF TRADE-OFFS AND SERVICES THAT WILL IMPACT IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY REVENUE.

>> Reporter: IN OTHER WORDS, BIKE LANES HAVE TO COMPETE WITH ALL THE OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS LIKE FILLING POTHOLES AND FIXING BROKEN SIDEWALKS.

BEYOND THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, NEW BIKE LANES IN SAN DIEGO CAN BE CONTROVERSIAL TO SOMETIMES REQUIRE REMOVING PARKING OR A LANE OF TRAVEL FOR CARS.

BUT LAURA, NOW A SINGLE MOTHER, HOPES THOSE WHO OPPOSE PROTECTED BIKE LANES KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.

>> IF YOU WERE ABLE TO PUT THIS BIKE LANE THERE, MAY BE SOMEBODY COME UP MAYBE ANOTHER WIFE AND ANOTHER SON WOULD HAVE THEIR HUSBAND AND DAD ONE DAY.

BECAUSE IT CAN SAVE A LIFE AND I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO TAKE THIS PAIN AWAY FROM ANYBODY ELSE BECAUSE IT'S JUST THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.

WORSE THAN I CAN EVER IMAGINE.

>> THAT STORY FROM ANDREW BELL AND WAS ONE OF OUR MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK AT TRANTO.

>>> OTHER TOP STORIES INCLUDE THE ATP BRINGING TO PRO TENNIS BACK TO SAN DIEGO WE WILL HAVE THAT FOR YOU A BIT LATER.

ALSO BIG HONORS FOR THE LOCAL FOOD SCENE.

TWO SAN DIEGO SUSHI RESTAURANTS ARE AMONG THOSE AWARDED MICHELIN STARS.

AND AS WE REPORTED EARLIER, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S PUSH FOR COVID VACCINE MANDATES WAS AMONG OUR MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK.

>>> YOU MAY THINK OF WILDFIRES AS LARGELY A PROBLEM FOR WESTERN STATES, BUT A NEW COLLABORATION WITH NPR AND STANFORD UNIVERSITY SHOWS THAT SMOKE IS CAUSING PROBLEMS THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY.

KPBS ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON LOOKS AT THE RESEARCH AND WHAT IT MEANS LOCALLY.

>> Reporter: WILDFIRES ARE A PART OF LIFE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

FLAMES RACED OUT OF CONTROL.

EVACUATIONS ARE ORDERED.

FIRE CREWS RESPOND AND AFTER HOURS, DAYS, AND SOME CASES WEEKS, THE BLAZE IS FINALLY SNUFFED OUT AND THE DAMAGES ASSESSED.

BUT NEW RESEARCH FINDS THE FLAMES ARE NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM .

WHY FIRE SMOKE IS GREATLY EXTENDING THE DAMAGING REACH OF THESE OUT-OF-CONTROL BLAZES.

>> I REFER TO THEM AS THE LONG ARM OF THE FIRE.

>> Reporter: NEIL DRISCOLL IS A SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY RESEARCHER WHO HELPS WILDFIRE MOVEMENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> THESE PLUMES CAN GO LONG DISTANCES.

WE NOTICED THAT THIS YEAR.

WE HAD AREAS IN NEW ENGLAND BEING SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF AIR QUALITY FROM FIRES IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: IN SAN DIEGO, THE AMOUNT OF SMOKE IN THE AIR HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED OVER THE LAST DECADE.

NPR'S CALIFORNIA NEWSROOM TEAM WITH RESEARCHERS AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY ANALYZED SATELLITE IMAGES OF WILDFIRE SMOKE.

STANFORDS MARSHALL BURKE WORKED ON THE PROJECT.

>> WE SEEN A CLEAR UPWARD TREND IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND ACROSS OTHER PARTS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

NUMBER TREND IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS WITH SMOKE PLUMES IN THE AIR AND A RAPID INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS WITH THESE VERY HEAVY AND DENSE SMOKE PLUMES OF HER HEAD.

>> Reporter: THE INVESTIGATION FOUND OCEANSIDE'S RESIDENTS ARE LIVING WITH MORE THAN A MONTH OF SMOKING YEAR.

IS THE SAME FOR OTHER PARTS OF NORTH COUNTY LIKE ESCONDIDO, FALLBROOK AND CAMP PENDLETON.

AN IMPERIAL COUNTY, SOME AREAS OUTSIDE EL CENTRO ARE NOW EXPERIENCING TWO MONTHS OF SMOKE PER YEAR.

EVEN SO, BORKED SAYS THE LOCAL REGION DID NOT GET THE WORST OF IT.

>> SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DID GET HIT WITH WILDFIRE EXPLOSION BUT PARTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE BAY AREA, GOT HIT REALLY HARD BECAUSE OF THIS CONFLUENCE OF WIND DIRECTION AND WHERE THE ACTIVE WILDFIRES ARE.

>> BUT THE SMOKE IS STILL IMPACTING HEALTH AND SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTY.

THE ANALYSIS FOUND A 17% INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR RESPIRATORY AND CARDIAC CONDITIONS IN THE HEAVIEST FIRE YEAR OF 2018 COMPARED TO TWO YEARS BEFORE.

PRESCRIPTIONS FOR ASTHMA MEDICATION SPIKED BY NEARLY 21% BETWEEN 2013 AND 2018.

>> IT CAN BE VERY BAD WITH PEOPLE WITH EXISTING HEART OR LUNG DISEASE.

>> Reporter: THIS PULMONOLOGIST SAYS WILDFIRE SMOKE IS NOTORIOUS BAD FOR PEOPLE KELBY BROOKS CAN EXPERIENCE COUGHING, LUNG IRRITATION AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH.

IN MORE SERIOUS CASES, IT CAN CAUSE ASTHMA AND HEART DISEASE.

HE IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT TINY PARTICLES SMALLER THAN 2.5 MICRONS THAT CAN GET PAST THE UPPER AIRWAYS.

>> THEY GET DOWN INTO THE SMALLER AIRWAYS OR THE AIR SACKS READ THE GAS EXCHANGE OCCURS.

THEY CAN BE DIFFICULT TO GET RID OF.

>> Reporter: THE WILDFIRE SMOKE IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT ARE ALREADY PICK COPING WITH POOR AIR QUALITY.

THE AIR IS POLLUTED BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC OR INDUSTRY SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS CHAIRS THE REGIONAL AIR BOARD THEN SAYS POLITICIANS AND REGULATORS NEED TO TAKE EXTRA STEPS TO HELP COMMUNITIES OF COLOR COPE FOR INSTANCE BY PROVIDING ALERTS ABOUT POOR AIR QUALITY.

>> GIVE OUR COMMUNITIES THE TOOLS THEY NEED SO THEY ARE MINDFUL AND THEY KNOW WHEN POLLUTION IS AT THOSE LEVELS SO THEY ARE ALSO ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE RISKS OF DIRTY AIR AND GIVING THEM ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ARE IMPORTANT FOR WORKING-CLASS COMMUNITIES.

SHE KNOWS THE AIRPORT CAN'T REGULATE WILDFIRE SMOKE BUT REGULATORS CAN WORK TO REDUCE OTHER POLLUTION SOURCES THAT AMPLIFIED THE SMOKE'S HEALTH IMPACTS.

>> WE ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL RISKS OF THE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES IN THE REGION TO BE ABLE TO MITIGATE THAT I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER HUGE ISSUE FOR US.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, FIRES CONTINUED TO BURN IN CALIFORNIA.

THERE WERE MORE THAN A DOZEN ACTIVE BATTLES AGAINST WILDFIRES.

FLAMES FROM MORE THAN 7700 BLAZES HAVE ALREADY CHARGED MORE THAN 2.4 MILLION ACRES IN CALIFORNIA JUST THIS YEAR.

ERIC ANDERSON, NEWS THIS WEEK.

>> YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE MOST AT STAKE IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND THAT'S BECAUSE THEY WILL BE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES.

MG PEREZ SHOWS US HOW LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE DEMANDING MORE FROM OLDER GENERATIONS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SIGN, THIS MAYBE IT.

OR THIS.

MAYBE THIS ONE TOO.

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR AND STUDENTS AT PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL WANT TO BE HEARD.

>> OUR LEADERS, THEY HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WILL NOT STEP UP FOR OUR FUTURE SO WE WILL STEP UP FOR OUR OWN FUTURES.

>> Reporter: ABBY DARLING IS THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER AND ORGANIZED THIS RALLY WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED CLASSMATES.

ALL OF THEM INSPIRED BY SWEDISH YOUTH YOUTH ACTIVISTS GRETA THUNBERG.

>> LET'S STOP ACTING AS IF THERE IS ONE.

NEED TO DEMAND A CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THIS GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE IS A COMMUNITY EFFORTS ENDORSED BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION.

IT WAS ALSO ENCOURAGED BY SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO PASSED A RESOLUTION TO PROTECT THEIR STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO PROTEST TODAY.

EVEN THE PRINCIPAL HAD SOMETHING TO SAY.

>> THE ADULTS.

WE HAVE SCREWED IT UP NOW WE ARE LOOKING TO YOU.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

YOU ARE OUR FUTURE.

>> Reporter: PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL HAS 2500 STUDENTS.

ALL OF THE STUDENTS LEFT THEIR CLASSROOMS TO CREATE THEIR OWN HISTORY LESSON ON CAMPUS.

>> THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS.

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

THAT STARTED THE DEGRADATION OF OUR PLANET AND AS MUCH AS IT SUCKS, IT'S UP TO US TO FINISH IT BECAUSE WE WILL BE LEFT EVER.

>> I HOPE THAT WE CAN BE ZERO WASTE I HOPE THEY POLLUTION GOES DOWN TO ZERO.

I HOPE THAT WE CAN HAVE A GREEN NEW DEAL.

BUT AS I SEE IT IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THERE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A REALITY CHECK FROM THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT JUST BE THE BEST PREPARED TO FIND MUCH- NEEDED SOLUTIONS MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS NEXT STORY WAS AMONG OUR MOST READ THIS WEEK .

TURNS OUT SAN DIEGO HAS A LOT OF TENNIS FANS AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR A BIG EVENT WRAPPING UP THIS WEEKEND.

MELISSA MAE GOT A PREVIEW OF THE FIRST SAN DIEGO OPEN.

>> Reporter: THE BARNES TENNIS CENTER HAD JUST FIVE WEEKS TO ORGANIZE AND PREPARE THE FIRST EVER ASSOCIATION OF TENNIS PROFESSIONALS TORNADO IN SAN DIEGO.

FROM SEPTEMBER 27 THROUGH OCTOBER 3rd, TENNIS FANS HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE SOME OF THE BEST MALE TENNIS PLAYERS IN THE WORLD COMPETE IN THE SAN DIEGO OPEN.

>> THE SPORTS COMMITTEE AND SAN DIEGO, IS A BIG DEAL.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE CO- CHAIR OF THE TOURNAMENT AND AN AVID TENNIS PLAYER AND HE TELLS US HOW THE ATP FINALLY SELECTED SAN DIEGO TO HOST A TOURNAMENT >> WHEN THE CHINESE TOUR WAS CANCELED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, THEY CALLED US AND SAID WILL YOU PLEASE HOST AN ATP TOURNAMENT SO WE CAN KEEP THE PLAYERS WORKING?

AND EARNING PRIZE MONEY.

>> THE ATP GRANTED SEVERAL ONE- YEAR LICENSE TO TOURNAMENTS AND WE WERE FORTUNATE TO GET ONE OF THOSE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE BARNES TENNIS CENTER GENERAL MANAGER AND SAN DIEGO OPEN TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR.

HE SAYS EVERY SEAT IS A GOOD ONE.

>> THE COURTS.

WEATHER.

THERE IS NOT ONE BAD SEAT IN THIS FACILITY SO IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME.

THE CENTRE COURT RIGHT NOW HOLDS 2000 PEOPLE.

THE SECOND COURT WILL HOLD ABOUT 400.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CAN COME THROUGH.

>> Reporter: YOUTH TENNIS SAN DIEGO OWNS AND OPERATES THE CENTER AND IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL YOUTH THROUGH ORGANIZE TENNIS CLINICS FOR KIDS ARE SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE TOURNAMENT AND MANY OF THE YOUNG ATHLETES WILL BE SITTING IN THE STANDS OR SERVING AS BALL GIRLS AND BOYS.

>> THIS WILL INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE OUR YOUTH.

FOR THE TENNIS COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE PLAYERS JUST FEET AWAY IN FRONT OF YOU THAT PLAY, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AN EXPERIENCE AND PROMOTE THE GAME OF TENNIS IN OUR CITY.

>> Reporter: THIS MEN'S PROFESSIONAL TERM IT WILL FEATURE A 28 PLAYER SINGLES DRAW AND A 16 TEAM DOUBLES DRAW A TOTAL OF $600,000 IN PRIZE MONEY IS UP FOR GRABS.

>> YOU WILL HAVE GREAT FOOD.

A GREAT ATMOSPHERE.

MUSIC.

MERCHANDISE TO BUY.

SESSIONS.

AND GREAT WEATHER.

SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS OF JOBS WERE CREATED TO PUT ON A TOURNAMENT OF THIS SIZE FROM CONSTRUCTION THROUGH CONCESSIONS.

PLUS HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP THE TOURNAMENT RUN SMOOTHLY.

BESIDES CREATING JOBS FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE TOURNAMENT WILL HELP THE LOCAL ECONOMY TOO.

>> HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WILL GO INTO THE CITY JUST BY BRINGING THIS ONE WEEK TOURNAMENT IN PEERK IT'S A HUGE BOOST TO THE CITY AND TO POINT LOMA, OCEAN BEACH, DOWNTOWN.

AND IT'S SO POSITIVE FOR THE CITY.

>> Reporter: PLAYERS SET TO APPEAR INCLUDE ANDRE RUBLEV, CURRENTLY THE NUMBER FIVE PLAYER IN THE WORLD.

>> THE BIG ONE IS ANDY MURRAY.

EVERYONE IS EXCITED ABOUT ANDY MULTI-GRAND SLAM CHAMPION.

GOLD MEDALIST.

WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING HIM HERE.

THE TALENT IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

IT'S WHAT YOU SEE ON THE U.S. OPEN.

ALL OF THESE GUYS WILL THEN GO ON TO INDIAN WELLS.

>> Reporter: THREE LOCAL TENNIS PLAYERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN FRONT OF THE HOMETOWN CROWD INCLUDING BRANDON NAKASHIMA WHO WAS RANKED 85th IN THE WORLD.

HE HIT SOME BALLS ON THE DECK OF THE U.S.S.

MIDWAY TO PROMOTE THE OPEN AND SHOW THE ATP SUPPORT FOR THE MILITARY COMMUNITY.

>> TO BE ABLE TO COME UP HERE AND HIT SOME TENNIS BALLS UP HERE, IT SUCH A COOL EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE TOURNAMENT WILL HAVE A MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY ON SEPTEMBER 29th.

NAKASHIMA IS CONSTANTLY TRAVELING TO DIFFERENT TENNIS TOURNAMENTS ALL OVER THE WORLD AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SLEEPING IN HIS OWN BED FOR A CHANGE.

>> IT SUCH A GOOD FEELING COMING BACK HOME AND BEING ABLE TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT CLOSE BY WHERE I GREW UP AND WHERE I TRAINED AS A JUNIOR.

IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE AND IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT TO HAVE ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS COME OUT TO SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: THE HIGH BLUFF ACADEMY GRADUATE PLANS TO BE PART OF THE YOUTH CLINICS AS MUCH AS HE CAN PICK THE TOURNAMENT WILL FEATURE TWO SESSIONS PER DAY.

THE DAY SESSION IS AT 1130 A.M. AND A NIGHT SESSION STARTS AT 530 P.M. FREE SHUTTLES ARE PROVIDED FROM LIBERTY STATION TO THE BARNES TENNIS CENTER FOR BOTH DAY AND NIGHT SESSIONS MASKS ARE REQUIRED ON THE SHUTTLE BUT NOT AT THE VENUE.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.